The Heart of the Continent Partnership (HOCP) is a Canadian/American coalition of land managers and local stakeholders working together on cross-border projects that promote the economic, cultural and natural health of the lakes, forests and communities on the Ontario/Minnesota border. Representing a broad array of organizations, the partnership seeks to develop a common identity and sense of belonging.

An International Treasure!

Spanning the international border between northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario lies an international treasure: the largest expanse of public greenspace in the heart of North America.

Heart of the Continent Area

This 5.5 million acre (2.2 million hectares) landscape comprises a blend of working forest, rugged scenery, pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and outstanding biodiversity. Several separately managed natural areas are encompassed by this ecosystem at the “heart of the continent,” including Quetico Provincial Park, Superior National Forest (including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness), Voyageurs National Park, Grand Portage National Monument and numerous Minnesota state forest lands and parks and Ontario provincial parks. (See map.)

The Heart of the Continent Partnership invites you to attend/participate in our second science symposium April 8-9 in Duluth Minnesota. Heart of the Continent’s Science Committee is continuing its mission to build and strengthen a coalition of scientists, land managers, and stakeholders dedicated to the preservation of natural and cultural resources across the Heart of the Continent landscape. An invitation for a submission of abstracts pertaining to, or relevant to the Heart of the Continent area in either oral or posters

Geotourism Initiative: HOCP is partnering with National Geographic Society to create a regional geotourism initiative, including a map and website. Our goal is to increase visitorship, build support for the region, and build community among those who care for it.

Connecting Volunteers Initiative: We are establishing ways for connecting organizations needing volunteers with interested individuals, to benefit public lands and build awareness of the region.

Upcoming Meetings

Our next Roundtable Gathering will be posted soon.

To see notes from our last meeting in Atikokan/Quetico hosted by Voyageur Wilderness Programme, the Town of Atikokan and Quetico Park StaffNOTES